Monday, October 14, 2013

Bloom Day October 2013: Colors of an Autumn Garden

 It's autumn in my northeastern Long Island garden and the landscape is bursting with color.  This has been a beautiful October with temperatures a little warmer than normal in the mid to upper 60's with many blooms still in sight.  As the cooler breeze starts to move in there is evidence of fall with changing colors of the garden turning to hues of burgundy, orange and gold.  It is time for another walk in the garden.
Blooms on Basil Ocimum basilicum (Mountain Magic)
First is this new variety of basil I picked up for the herb garden.  We have kept it clipped all summer but now it is going to seed with vibrant purple blooms that bring a burst of color to the fall garden and the sweet aroma of the basil is not bad either!
Blue Atlas Cedar Cones
In the front yard the stately Blue Atlas Cedar is producing an abundance of cones...hopefully not a sign of a harsh winter.
Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' Bark
The bark on my Crape Myrtle is a new treat in the garden.  The tree has reached maturity and the exfoliating bark is almost like artwork displaying an array of swirls and variations of multiple colors.  Even when this tree looses its foliage the bark is an interesting feature.
Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sangokaku')
The foliage of the Coral Bark Maple in the front yard is going into its fall color mode.  It will be turning a bright yellow within the next couple of weeks and the bark to a bright red by winter.

Back Island Bed
With morning tea viewing from my kitchen window the Pink Knock Out Roses are still in bloom along with my newest favorite addition.  This dwarf Butterfly Bush is still blooming and has been for months!  Along side it are Heuchera 'Caramel', Gold Mop Cypress. Barberry and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar.  The colorful folaige of the new Heuchera 'Caramel' fits right into the fall motif!
Buddleia  Lo & Behold Blue Chip (Dwarf Butterfly Bush)
  Here is the Butterfly Bush close up...still lots of fragrant purple blooms.
Golden Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple
At the end of the driveway the dwarf grasses are showing their plumes and changing to a more golden hue while the coreopsis and nepeta are still blooming.  In the background are Golden Oriental Spruce 'Skylands' (left) and Coral Bark Maple 'Sangokaku' (right).

Welcome Station!
 There is a new welcome area for the birds of the garden. I had spotted this granite bird bath out east over the summer only to walk over to it again on a second trip. After a third trip it came home with me and the birds love it. Every morning it is like a spa visit for the local feathered friends.
Green Japanese Maple in Fall
Now into the front yard the Japanese Maples are turning into their fall colors...
Red Japanese Maple Fall Color
and showing their fascinating sculptured trunks.
Dwarf Maiden Grass 'Yaku Jima'
Around to the backyard the Yaku Jima Maiden Grasses are at their full height now of about five feet and displaying their wispy plumes that are swaying in the breeze by the poolside.
Dwarf Maiden Grass and Sedum
One of my favorite things in autumn is when the grasses have their plumes and the Sedum 'Brilliant' is turning to a hue of orange-pink.
Montgomery Globe Spruce
Here is the back evergreen and perennial garden in autumn mode.  The Montogomery Blue Spruce in the center is about fifteen years old now and has grown to maturity.
Weeping Norway Spruce, Heuchera and Grasses
The Weeping Norway Spruce, grasses and heuchera have also filled in over the years.  In the autumn the foliage of Heuchera 'Palace Purple' (coral bells) turns to a rainbow of burgundy and burnt orange.
Fall Garden
Back around to the back this smaller bird bath is also a welcome spot for visitors.
Perennial Border
Moving along the Salvia 'Maynight' is sporting its last blooms for the season adding a little purple to the garden...
Walkway to Secret Garden
and the Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola') are at their prime.  A new addition this summer was this blue stone walkway leading into my secret garden.  It is tucked away and when I go back there nobody can find me...ahhh...peace!
Nandina 'Gulf Stream' Fall Berry
Nandina 'Gulf Stream' along the side fence displays its colorful fall berries that will brighten to a fiery red as winter approaches.
Fall Perennial Border
Here is more of the autumn perennial garden...
Fall Perennial Border
the colors getting brighter day by day.  Included in the garden is Lamb's Ear, Astilbe, Hosta, Salvia, Daylily, Heuchera and Aster with dwarf grasses and evergreens Blue star Juniper and Globe Blue Spruce. 
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

Last but not least are the fragrant blooms of Hydrangea 'Tardivia' turning from pure white to a gentle pink for the days of autumn.


The garden is a changing palette with each season has something to look forward to.  Thank you for visiting.  Drop a note to let me know you've been here and I will be sure to visit you as well.  Also please visit our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming for October Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for Foliage Follow Up.

 

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower". ~Albert Camus




As Always...Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

 

36 comments:

  1. Lots of color - very beautiful! I also love your new bird bath. So glad it found a good home. I never think of autumn as being as colorful as summer, but I am proved wrong every year!

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    1. Thank you Holly. I am getting so much enjoyment from the birdbath just watching the visitors every morning!

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  2. Lovely things going on in your fall garden. We share two favorites, Caramel coral bells and coral bark maple.

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    1. The Caramel Coral Bells have been a favorite of mine since they became popular three years ago. The beauty of them is that they thrive in both shade and sun as you probably know...LOVE THEM!

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  3. Lots of colour in your October garden, and so much to see! I loved your new bird bath and your borders look so neat and colourful but most of all I loved to see your acers, those are magnificent mature trees. I can only dream of having something like that in my tiny garden, my palmatum ‘Garnet’ is more than big enough for the space I have. Have a great week and happy GBBD.

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    1. Helene-I always enjoy visiting your beautiful gardens that are so inviting. Thank you for visiting and for your kind comments. Happy GBBD!

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  4. Thanks for visiting my blog today Lee..my gardening friends and I visited LI this summer for our annual garden tour get-together, and I was astonished by the sheer number of garden centers we saw there--right up there with the PNW ! We aw some great gardens and ended each day at a winery..Happy Bloom Day !

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    1. So glad you enjoyed your visit to Long Island. I have enjoyed visiting your gardens as well!

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  5. Beautiful flowers and foliage!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    Lea

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    1. Lea-I enjoy the interesting blooms and foliage in your gardens...always a pleasure! Happy Bloom Day!

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  6. I have indeed visited today and as always am just a mite envious of some of the gorgeous plants you are able to grow so successfully. The blue atlas cedar would be high on that list! Here in Wisconsin we have been tearing out much of the color in our gardens in prep for our first significant freeze this weekend.My coral bark maple didn't make it through last winter unfortunately and I'm never certain whether it's the climate or the particular plant that's at the center of why the loss. Happy fall... Larry

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    1. Larry-your gardens and photography are always so beautiful and a I love to visit. So sorry about your Coral Bark Maple. I guess they are sensitive to extreme cold. Hopefully this winter won't be too bad. Happy fall and Bloom Day!

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  7. So many beautiful trees and shrubs that I can't grow here in Wisconsin. Thanks for letting me dream about them via your garden.

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    1. Thank you for visiting me and I enjoyed visiting you as well. You have some nice pink and purple blooms going on there for this time of year. Happy GBBD!

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  8. I'm glad you showed so clearly all the fabulous, interesting colors that brighten the fall. Great post.

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    1. Fall is a wonderful time for color. I just wish all the leaves didn't have to go away but it is all a part of nature and makes spring so much more exciting! Some say fall is the other spring:)

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  9. I love the colors of your autumn garden. Gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you for visiting Dorothy. I have enjoyed your blog as well :)

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  10. Your fall garden is beautiful, Lee. I love your maples. I'm sure the birds are very happy with their new welcome station! Happy GBBD! P. x

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  11. Your garden is glowing in Fall. Love the coral/orange colors, especially that Blue Atlas.

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    1. Thank you Donna. I enjoyed the visit to your garden as well...amazing photography on your last post!

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  12. Beautiful garden photos!
    Greetings, RW & SK

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment! I just got a chance to visit your blog and I love the adorable photos on your last post and the ones of the gardens too!

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  13. You really have a lovely fall garden with lots of autumn colours. The Japanese maples and the variety of grasses are amazing.

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    1. Hi Janneke-Thank you for visiting...it is appreciated! Your roses and gardens are so beautiful!

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  14. Lee - your garden still looks fantastic! Terrific choice of plants, of they can last this long. Loved the orange cedar cones. And I was hoping to get a nice bird bath as well - maybe I'll still go have a look next week. Everything is 75% off :)

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  15. Thank you so much Astrid. You wouldn't believe how much enjoyment I am getting watching the Blue Jays and Chicadees taking morning and late day baths with water spraying all over as they flutter their wings. I am wondering if I should supply soap on a rope and guest towels!!! I got this one at 20% off so 75% off is a steal! Go for it :)

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  16. What great combinations you have! Just love them all! They go together so well and very well planned. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thank you so much Susan! I have enjoyed visiting your gardens as well :)

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  17. Lee, I have no words, your garden is stunning. I love these maples, hydrangea, roses, herbs!
    Have a nice day!

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    1. Thank you so much Nadezda! I have enjoyed visiting your blog and love how you incorporate berry producing shrubs into your gardens...so pretty for fall. Hope you have a nice day too!

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  18. What a truly stunning garden you have - there is so much interest and some of your combos are very inspirational.

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  19. Thank you Angie,,,your words are appreciated! You have some pretty inspirational foliage in your gardens and I love the effect of the raindrops on the leaves of each plant-each photographed beautifully!

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  20. So many great textures and colors of foliage in your garden! I especially love the blue atlas cedar and those pretty, golden cones.

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    1. We are really getting into fall now and all the colors are intensifying. I enjoy when the conifers start producing those large cones but I hope that doesn't mean a harsh winter!

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Thank you for visiting. I love reading your comments and knowing you have been here, and will try to reciprocate on your blog. If you have any questions I will try my very best to answer them. As always...HAPPY GARDENING!